“Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” (Mark 12:41-44 The Message Bible)
One of the things that writers set out to do is to produce the perfect ending. However, sometimes the ending is not clear, and the reader has to speculate on what happens beyond the last written word. Sometimes writers leave you with a cliffhanger or an open-ended conclusion, so that the reader can make up their own ending.
This morning I want to share a true story about something that happened Tuesday morning. I received a call from a church member who has been confined to living in an assistant living residence for over a year. She is a long-term member whose faith shines through whatever life throughs at her. I mean she had been through multiple times of testing, tried by many tragedies, and taken part in the battle against major challenges to her health. She has been restricted in terms of leaving the facility where she leaves and unable to be part of the life of the church in person or virtually. Thank God for the leaders in our church, the Deaconesses who visit her regularly and bring her copies of the weekly sermon manuscripts! And thank the Lord for the Deacon and other concerned members who have not forgotten her as evident by the fact that they call her regularly to encourage her and present her with a way to stay in contact with the church that she has belonged to for over two-decades. Now while she has confined, she sees the blessing in where she resides. Her ability to stay optimistic regardless of what life throws at her puts many believers to shame for complaining about the smallest bumps in the road of life. She does not relax and rely on being only a subject of kindness and love. No, not this member! She calls many members, including me, her pastor from time to time, just to talk or get answers to questions, and in doing so she inspires us all.
The purpose of her call Tuesday was to ask me for the church post office box number so she could send in her offerings. She is shut in, shut out, but she has not shutdown her belief that you can’t beat God’s giving and regardless of her fixed level of income, giving is a priority. Of course that made me think of our opening and closing verses. Read them!
How this story affected me goes beyond being inspired to share it with you. I’ll make my own perfect ending. As for you, look at this as a cliffhanger or an open-ended story, not wondering how the faithful church member’s life will go from this point on, but how will you internalize her story and produce your own final pages of this true account, the one that the Lord wants you to specifically apply to your life. Finish the story, not just in words, but in action. Construct your own personal, perfect ending! Be blessed!
“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].” (James 1:22 The Amplified Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King